Panthers power past Eagles

07/06/2021

It was a day to forget for Sheffield Eagles as Mark Aston’s side lost 46-12 at the hands of Halifax Panthers.

Blake Broadbent and Ryan Millar scored the Eagles’ tries in the first and second half respectively.

Aston made a couple of changes from the side that drew 25-25 against Whitehaven the previous week.

Ryan Johnson came in at full-back for the injured Josh Guzdek, whilst Chris Ball was given his debut off the interchange bench.

It was a balanced start at the Shay before Halifax opened their account on 10 minutes.

Nick Rawsthorne finished off a slick move after a Ben Kavanagh break. The try-scorer couldn’t convert from out-wide.

Eagles forward Brad Knowles then left the field of play with an injury, as Ball was summoned for the first time.

Kavanagh touched down moments later after Liam Harris played him through.

James Woodburn-Hall added another score to put Fax further ahead. The full-back exposed an open Eagles defence to go in untouched. Rawsthorne converted successfully from in front for a 16-0 lead.

Halifax soon got their fourth and final try of the half through Sam Hewitt after Ryan Millar fumbled Harris’ grubber kick.

The Eagles then registered their first try of the game five minutes before the half-time hooter.

A short ball from James Davey was met by Broadbent who dived over. Izaac Farrell was on target to convert Broadbent’s score.

HALF-TIME: HALIFAX PANTHERS 20-6 SHEFFIELD EAGLES

The Panthers restored their comfortable lead after the break when Kevin Larroyer dived over from dummy half. Rawsthorne added the two from the tee.

Hewitt then scored his second as the game began to end as a contest. He was in support of a Woodburn-Hall break to touch down.

The Fax full-back was involved yet again as he sauntered over the try-line but passed to Daniel Murray, who did the honours.

Just after the hour mark, Ryan Millar scored on his 100th Eagles appearance.

Good ball movement from the Eagles found the winger, who provided the acrobatics. Farrell converted from the touchline.

Sheffield’s day went from bad to worse when Scott Wheeldon was sent off for a late shot on Larroyer.

Halifax made use of the man advantage, adding to their scores through Larroyer himself and Rawsthorne.

FULL-TIME: HALIFAX PANTHERS 46-12 SHEFFIELD EAGLES

By Lewis Coleman, photo by Alex Coleman